As part of our Artist Spotlight series, we introduce you this month to fashion photographer Gerald Forster (although his stunning images extend well beyond the world of fashion) who has contributed to the Artists for Africa benefit for the past nine years. You can also view past Artist Spotlights of Chris Dei, Cyril Christo and Marie Wilkinson, Susanna Noel Jolly, Carlo Mari, and Jonnie Miles.

Gerald Forster’s professional career as a fashion photographer started in Paris. Since 1998 he has lived and worked in New York where he started photographing celebrities for a range of publications that include Esquire, Vogue, Newsweek, Premier, and Planet. In addition to his commercial and editorial work, he has pursued several fine art projects and is represented with his video and photography art at Hous Projects Gallery, Jenkins Johnson Gallery, and the Stephen Cohan Gallery. In 2006, Gerald was the recipient of the Euro Press Professional Photographer Award, as well as the IPA Award in fine art.

Getting to Know You…

Of all the places you have traveled, which resonates most with you?
Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, Yemen, Mongolia, Peruvian Amazon, Nepal & Russia

What do feel is the biggest challenge facing Africa today?
Clean water, green energy, and a good education for all children.

It often feels like one person can’t make a difference supporting the many environmental causes there are today. What small steps can people make to help conservation/preservation efforts in Africa or globally? 
Everybody out there in the developed western world should devote themselves to at least one great course, a foundation they believe in… giving is the greatest gift to receive back.

What themes or personal experiences are most commonly evoked in your art?
“The LightYears project”, the “Nocturnal” series & “The American Dream” all reflect a deep revelation of different human subcultures…

What are you currently working on?
‘High Beam’ is a new series of disconcerting, unidentifiable landscapes, all shot at twilight with traditional 4×5 inch negative plates.

How do you continue to stay inspired?
Finding time and financial resources to travel to places that I have never been before…

What websites and blogs to you frequently visit?
TED

What was the last book you read?
A Little History of the World, by E. H. Gombrich

What is playing on your iPod lately?
Heavy Ghost and Wax Tailor

Visit Gerald’s website to learn more about his current projects
Read about the LightYears project in Planet Magazine